Brisket and the Butcher

lovnsmokn · Posted: Jan 26 2008 Post subject: Brisket and the Butcher

Since you guys are some of the smartest BBQ'rs I have met I need you to help me out.

I spoke to a local butcher last night and was asking him about whole packer briskets. He only had flats in his case. And I have not found a whole brisket in this area.

He told me he has them and all his meat is fresh. He said they do the kill and hang them for 14 days then cut fresh and sell. Is this good? I don't really know how butchering works.

He also told me whole packers are $2.99 / lb. He had his flat showing at $4.99 / lb. Is either of these a good price? It sounds like it was negotiable as when I asked he said he usually struggles to sell them out every weekend. (This was at a weekend farm market - Fri, Sat, Sun)

Just looking for comments or feedback. Thanks in advace to all for your input.
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skybob · Posted: Jan 27 2008 Post subject:

Well, $2.99 is about twice what I pay for packer briskets from Sams here in Wichita. The lowest I've seen them here is about $1.27 or so.
Unfortunately, if he's the only game in town, he can just about name his price. I'd try to talk him down a little. You could always tell him you'd buy regularly from him, that might help him adjust the price in your favor.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Jan 27 2008 Post subject:

Sam's Clubs within 25 miles of Allentown PA.

2595 MACARTHUR RD.
WHITEHALL, PA 18052
Club #6536

3796 EASTON NAZARETH HWY.
EASTON, PA 18045
Club #6567

Like skybob I buy from Sam's Club, Packer Briskets are regularly in the $1.69 - $1.89 range so you only need to buy 4 briskets in the year to have paid for your membership! Wink

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allsmokenofire · Posted: Jan 27 2008 Post subject:

I would guess that most of the briskets he gets from his beefs end up as ground meat. He probably doesn't sell many briskets at all. I'd bet he carries the cryovaced flats for all the little old ladies that want to pop a brisket in the oven.

See what kind of price he gets for hamburger meat. Specifically, any ground meat that isn't labeled as ground round or ground sirloin. Knock about $.30/lb off of that price for the processing that your saving him, and that's the price I'd offer him.

...but that's me. Wink

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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jan 28 2008 Post subject:

is this a guy slaughtering his own cows or something??

$3/LB is high for brisket, But depending on the grade it might be, it might be worth it.

See if he will do a 21 day wet-age for you, that should be pretty darn tasty brisket.
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Big Mike · Posted: Jan 28 2008 Post subject:

Most of the time around here a whole brisket is about 1.70lb. However if I have to buy it from Dots Market, it is 2.70lb.
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jib · Posted: Jan 31 2008 Post subject:

Wow, I've gotten used to paying $2.40 for packers at Cash and Carry. Time to start shopping around again.

Jack
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SoEzzy · Posted: Jan 31 2008 Post subject:

Full packers $1.49 at my nearest Sam's Club to my office, $1.68 at the nearest to my home yesterday, (the office), and last Saturdays, (home), prices!

Cheap enough to buy whole in bulk, then trim out the flat and feed the point to the kids or the dogs!
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lovnsmokn · Posted: Jan 31 2008 Post subject:

Well to my suprise....went to Sams to pick up a whole packer tonight and i was told they do not carry them.

I thought they all would carry them....well any other thoughts.
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Coz · Posted: Apr 12 2008 Post subject:

We have Sams here in Wisconsin that dont carry the packers.Some times the super walmarts have them sometimes not.I have found a grocery store that always has them but about a dollar a pound higher but when they are the only game in town....
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